For an experienced Robert Morris Colonials squad making a run towards their second consecutive Atlantic Hockey tournament title, it was a pair of freshman making their playoff debuts that helped push the Colonials past the Niagara Purple Eagles by a 4-2 margin at 84 Lumber Arena on Friday.
The Colonials got the scoring started with a goal by Scott Jacklin, who was planted in the crease of Niagara goaltender Jackson Teichroeb and deflected home a Matt Cope shot at 8:17 of the first period. Brandon Denham earned the second assist.
“I wasn’t even looking at the net, to be honest,” said Cope. “I was just looking through the screen, and once I saw an opening, threw it towards the net. He did a really good job to get a stick on it.”
It appeared as if the Colonials would take a 2-0 lead early in the middle of the first period, as David Friedmann scored on a wraparound, but referee Ryan Sweeney waived off the goal upon video review, as the Purple Eagles’ net had been dislodged from its moorings.
Niagara then was able to get on the board at 16:47 of the first when they caught the Colonials in a bad line change and Patrick Conte scored his first goal of the season from Brock Edwards and Hugo Turcotte.
The Purple Eagles then earned the game’s first power play at 17:30 of the first, when Denham was whistled for roughing. Just seven seconds into the man advantage, Kevin Patterson scored on a slap shot from the point that went over shoulder of Dalton Izyk and gave the Purple Eagles a 2-1 lead.
Early in the second period, the Colonials’ fourth line tied the game as freshman Timmy Moore scored his third of the season from Jeff Jones at 3:05 of the middle frame. Head coach Derek Schooley was complimentary of his fourth line.
“Timmy Moore, Spencer Dorowicz and Jeff Jones were outstanding,” he said. “They were the catalyst of this team today. They were going and they got more and more ice time as they game went on.”
The Colonials then got themselves into some penalty trouble with Tyson Wilson and Dorowicz taking consecutive penalties, but the Colonials were able to kill off the two-man advantage.
In the third, it was Dorowicz who was the hero. The freshman forward scored his second goal in as many games to give the Colonials a 3-2 lead 2:48 into the third period. Jones got his second assist of the game as it was again the fourth line that cashed in for the Colonials.
“Our top three lines are pretty solid,” said Jones. “When the fourth line can chip in with a goal, or tonight, even two goals, it can really help the team.
Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder decided to pull Teichroeb early to give his team an extended chance with the extra attacker, but Denham scored an empty-net goal at 18:44 to seal the win for Robert Morris.
Robert Morris will try to finish off Niagara as the best-of-three series continues with game two between the Colonials and Purple Eagles Saturday at 7:00 at 84 Lumber Arena.
Photo credit: Brian Mitchell
